Updates for Schools in DMV Area this Fall: Comprehensive Overview of Major Changes and Policy Adoptions for the 2025-26 Academic Year
In the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, various changes are being implemented across several Virginia school districts. Let's take a look at some of the key updates.
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) has announced updates to their student laptop allocations for the upcoming school year. Additionally, schedules and class assignments will be loaded through Synergy into ParentVue/StudentVue accounts starting the week of Aug. 18, and a new CCPS Parent Handbook and Calendar will be posted on the school system's website. High school students in CCPS will receive a one-to-one take-home device, while students in grades 3-5 will be provided with a dedicated device for in-school use. For meal prices, elementary breakfast will cost $1.45, elementary lunch $2.90, secondary breakfast $1.60, secondary lunch $3.15, and milk $0.75. CCPS uses a cafeteria prepayment system through MySchoolBucks.
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is introducing a new pharmacy technician program at Freedom High School and EMT programs at Unity Reed and Brentsville District High Schools. High school students in PWCS are also working with Microsoft's Copilot Artificial Intelligence program. A cell phone-free policy is in place, with exceptions for students with disabilities, health or learning challenges, and in emergency situations. Every middle and high school in PWCS will have a Dean of Students. Meal prices in PWCS are yet to be announced.
Several Virginia school divisions, including Pulaski County Schools, Floyd County Public Schools, Giles County Public Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools, Radford City Public Schools, and Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS), are part of a regional partnership model launching in the 2025-2026 school year. This model aims to deliver high-quality, equitable education with rigorous programs tailored to local needs. ACPS is implementing a strategic plan focused on equity and eliminating opportunity gaps to provide high-quality education to every student regardless of background.
Spotsylvania County Public Schools returns with over 24,000 students and 1,800 teachers. The county has implemented a new cell phone policy during the academic day. To offset the shortage of teachers, Spotsylvania County Public Schools has hired 27 international teachers, many from the Philippines and Jamaica. The county is also implementing an automated speed enforcement program in school zones due to studies showing dangerous driving during school hours. As of the week of Aug. 3, Spotsylvania County Public Schools has 85 full-time vacant teaching positions. New for Spotsylvania County Public Schools is a tiered bell schedule for elementary schools, a transportation Opt-In, and a Student Digital Device Loan Agreement including the Acceptable Use Policy (Policy 6301-P), filtering and monitoring, responsible use, and repair/replacement costs. Parents may purchase optional device insurance to support repair/replacement costs. Students must return a signed device agreement form and view a Chromebook Care presentation before they will be issued a device.
In the upcoming school year, several school divisions in Virginia are gearing up for a new academic term, each with their unique updates and initiatives. Whether it's the introduction of new programmes, changes in policies, or the implementation of technology, these schools are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for their students.
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